Ultimate Wave Tahiti 3D IMAX World Premiere

Above, those are the stars of Ultimate Wave Tahiti in 3D IMAX: the unofficial mayor of Tahiti, Raimana Van Bastolaer, and 9x World Champ, Kelly Slater.

Now lets set things straight: I haven’t seen Avatar and don’t plan on it anytime soon. I’m actually boycotting it. Human or cartoon? Make up your mind.

That being said, I don’t really have anything against the whole new 3D craze. If it’s done tastefully it can work—but not everything warrants being in 3D. But to see one of the most gorgeous places on Earth, Tahiti, on an IMAX screen with Teahupoo opening it’s jaws right in your face, now that sounds like some good 3D.

The world premiere of the film took place Monday, February 8th at the California Science Center in LA. Tahitian dancers, the world’s biggest surf stars, and Hinano (Tahiti’s official beer) flowed. The movie turned out to be a good mix of the exploration for surf, a brief history of Tahiti, and scientific explanation for how waves are created (particularly Teahupoo). Ultimately the film is about the gracious and hospitable island of Tahiti as well as the relationship between the world’s greatest surfer continually journeying the Earth searching for waves and the world’s happiest man being content and patient for what life has to offer him.

Though Teahupoo did not offer 50-foot death caverns for the filming, it did create some pretty magical and enticing 6 to 8-foot surf for for Kelly and crew to go bonkers in and have fun—with the main point centering around Raimana, his island, and their immense respect for the ocean and thankfulness for life. I had never met Raimana before Monday night, but upon introducing myself the first thing he said was, “What can I do for you tonight?” And not in a way of fulfilling any of my media duties, but as a human. After we chatted for a bit I let him get back to the party and his people. On our parting he told me, “You should come to Tahiti. You are my family, you are my brother.”

I truly don’t believe there is a nicer human being in all this world.And from what I’ve been told and seen, Tahiti is full of these amazing people.—Ryan Brower

To find out more about the film and see when it hits an IMAX theater near you, head to UltimateWaveTahiti.com.

Our very own Chris Cote interviewing the stars for FUEL TV. Here seen with 9x World Champ Kelly Slater. Photo: Mimi L.Tahitian dancers entertained the crowd throughout the night. Photo: Mimi L.Two of the best big wave surfers in the world, Greg Long and Mark Healey. Photo: Mimi L. Genuinely nice people like Raimana Van Bastolaer (center in the white shirt and lei) tend to have people gravitate towards them. Photo: Mimi L.One of the greatest women surfer's of all-time, Lisa Andersen, and friend. Photo: Mimi L.I'll take a pair of those 3D glasses and a pair of lovely ladies...Photo: Mimi L.The legendary Buttons Kaluhiokalani goofing around with his little grom. Photo: Mimi L.Kelly always classy. This time in suit and tie. Photo: Mimi L.Quiksilver CEO and founder Bob McKnight and friends. Photo: Mimi L.Photographer Jason Murray with Peter Mel, Greg Long, and Pete "PT" Townend. Photo: Mimi L.Folk singer Mason Jennings jammed during the after party while Hinanos and Mai Tais flowed from the open bar and Mahi Mahi and pulled pork filled some stomachs. Photo: Mimi L.As always with big-time surf world happenings, beautiful ladies were in attendance. Photo: Mimi L.

FOR THE REST OF THE PHOTOS AND THE TRAILER OF THE MOVIE, HEAD TO THE SECOND PAGE.

3D film guru Pear Petersen with big wave hellman Rusty Long. Photo: Mimi L. Some of the fastest moving legs in the world: Tahitian dancers. Photo: Mimi L.Pro surfer and model Veronica Kay with a friend. Photo: Mimi L.Mark: "So you're gonna come deep sea diving in the sharkiest waters in the world with me next week, right?" Chris: "Ahhh, yeahhhh, about that..." Photo: Mimi L.Raimana and a John Reap from Tahiti's Tourism enjoying the after party. Photo: Mimi L.Channel Islands' Travis Lee with his wife. Congrats on the recent marriage! Photo: Mimi L.Don't forget to put those 3D glasses on. Photo: Mimi L.Even though he's not the World Champ going into this year, Kelly will forever be known as 'The Champ.' Photo: Mimi L.Quiksilver's Chad Wells and Shea Perkins. Photo: Mimi L.Shakas brahs. Photo: Mimi L.Be sure to check it out when the film comes near you! Photo: Mimi L.